I am a fairly recent proponent of, Raphael Saadiq and his soulful sound. Isn’t it amazing how such a great musician can go relatively unnoticed for so long? I mean, Saadiq has been putting out music for the past decade and a half, but until his critically acclaimed album, ‘The Way I See It’ dropped in late 2008, Saadiq largely flew under the radar. An album of 1960s Motown Sound-inspired songs with classicist soul music influences, much of the albums success was certainly done no harm by the strength of featured artists, Jay-Z, Joss Stone and Stevie Wonder. The latter of which has certainly proved a huge influence on Saadiq’s music. He has also spent much of musical career producing artists such as TLC, D’Angelo, John Legend and Mary J Blige to name but a few.
Raphael Saadiq is the second youngest of fourteen siblings and similar to the recently reviewed, ‘Charles Bradley’, faced horrific tragedies in his young upbringing. From the murder of one brother, the heroin addiction of another and the suicide of another to the death of his sister who died in a car crash, it was a harrowing start to life for Saadiq. Unlike, Bradley, who largely used the tough circumstances that he faced as a catalyst for his music, Saadiq recently told the UK’s Guardian newspaper, “through all of that I was makin' records, but it wasn't comin' out in the music. I did it to kinda show people you can have some real tough things happen in your life, but you don't have to wear it on your sleeve."
Saadiq released his debut album, ‘Instant Vintage’ in 2002. This earned five Grammy nominations. Two years later, ‘RayRay’ was released prior to the aforementioned, ‘The Way I See it’ in 2008. His fourth studio album, Stone Rollin', was released on March 25 in the UK and a day later in the US.
His major influences include early rock and roll artists like, Chuck Berry and Saadiq has also cited blues musician, 'Howlin' Wolf' as a major influence on new album, 'Stone Rollin’s’ sound. The production of this album certainly includes some additional distortion which helps produce a grittier, heavier guitar sound. This is a style preference for for both producer, Chuck Brungardt and Saadiq having recently gotten in to a lot of indie sounds. This album expands on the Motown-inspired material of Saadiq's previous album as well as includes various additional rhythm and blues vibes.
The opening track, 'Heart Attack' is as lively, energetic and funky an opener as you will find. A driving baseline with accompanying deep drum beat and somewhat groovy tambourine featuring in this rock and roll comprising soul sound. This track was apparently in honour of one of Saadiq's idols, Sly Stone, and inspired by his songs, 'Dance to the Music' and 'M'Lady'. Saadiq certainly succeeds in replicating the high octane impact and energy of 'Sly & The Family Stone'.
A more soulful side of Saadiq shines through on the somewhat gospel sounding, with the choir provinding backing vocals, 'Go to Hell'. The Mellotron keyboard which features heavily throughout this album is also a constant on this track.
'Radio' is, Chuck Berry inspired and features rockabilly guitar riffs and twelve-bar blues, but some of the delivery for me is synonymous with, Stevie Wonder. Great lyrics and drumbeat to this one - "I met this girl named Radio, said her signal was low, she wasn't getting my sound".
The more sultry, 'Over You' is a ballad encompassing some psychedelic influences. I love the violin strings, persistent keyboard melody and crashing drumbeats on this track.
The title track from this album is quite simply, an amazing track. Rhythm and blues that makes me want to get down and dance (and those who know me will attest that I am not keen on dancing). 'Stone Rollin' is an ode to the more curvaceous, full-figured woman. It really is a bone chilling track with funky guitar chords, harmonica and almost MJesque style delivery from Saadiq.
'Day Dreams' is a little more jazzy and is said to have been inspired by Ray Charles and Johnny Cash. I certainly here the, Charles element coming through in this pleasant, fun sounding track.
'Movin' Down the Line' is extremely chilled out and soulful. Again my mind harks back to, Stevie Wonder in the classical/soul track with brass and horns playing their part. Following this track comes something of a transition to the
psychedelic funk sound, of 'Just Don't' featuring vocals from Yukimi Nagano.
My second (and it's a very close second behind, 'Stone Rollin') favourite track on this album, 'Good Man' is sexy, slow and soulful. Almost more in the Al Green, Marvin Gaye mold, this song is home to simple but effective lyrics and a great hook co-written and sung by vocalist Taura Stinson - "I'm a good man, food on the table, working two jobs, Ready, willing, and able'. The contrast to this hook is Saadiq's tale of a man mourning his unfaithful partner's betrayal.
The album's closing track, 'The Answer', hosts something of a plea from Saadiq for collective and individual responsibility in society and to listen to ones answers (as he did). It's powerful, strong and well accompanied by an almost military drumbeat and string quartet.
It is already looking like its acclaim will surpass that of his previous offering:
“He doesn’t just rediscover the past, he remakes it” – Rolling Stone
“Mixing soul and classic rock, guitar-toting singer, Raphael Saadiq is the new face of a musical revival” – Aol Music
“A virtuoso stylist whose finest flourishes lie in the details” - SPIN
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